November 3, 2016: The announcement today by the NSW Government to eliminate carbon pollution by boosting renewable energy and energy efficiency measures has again shone a spotlight on the absence of any credible policy on renewable energy post 2020 from the Federal Government.

The NSW Government’s policy aims to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050 and has outlined three priority measures by investing in clean energy, leading on energy efficiency and developing climate change mitigation measures.

“This policy is an implicit target of 100% renewable energy by 2050. A target which is entirely possible and will lead to huge benefits for the NSW economy and people,” said Claire O’Rourke, National Director, Solar Citizens.

“This announcement further underscores the urgent need for a national transition plan to coordinate and maximise State policies with a national renewable energy target beyond 2020 - we have no time left to lose on this.

“We congratulate the NSW Government’s focus on both renewable energy and energy efficiency as a way to achieve these goals and we urge the Federal Government to immediately lead on policy to ensure an orderly, planned and fair transition to 100 percent renewable energy.

“NSW still has a long way to go when it comes to its renewable energy capacity and projects - for a long time it has lagged behind other States, many which are already implementing sensible, meaningful targets that are driving clean investment and jobs,” she said.

There are more than 330,000 households in NSW that have invested in renewable energy in a practical way by installing solar on their rooftops to power their homes. Solar Citizens looks forward to providing input into the policy, in particular, policy mechanisms to support and grow rooftop solar.

Solar Citizens is an independent, community-based organisation bringing together millions of solar owners and supporters to grow and protect solar in Australia. Together, we take action to protect the rights of millions of Australians with solar to cut bills, create clean power and take energy generation back into our own hands.